The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-28
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.
Its Attitude Towards the Tariff Au-
thorItativeIy Stated.

CHICAGO, Dec 27.-The recent course OF
the Chicago Tribune. the great Republican
paper of the West, in opposing Mr.. Blaine
has caused comment far and near. A re-
porter called on the editor, Mr.. Joseph Me-
dill, and asked him the cause of his animos-
ity.
"The Tribune has no animosity towards
Mr.. Blaine" was the reply. I'VE simply
differ with him. as we have the right to do.
Personally my relations with Mr.. Blaine are
unchanged. My opinion is that he read an
incomplete report Of the Presidents mes
sage, and then submitted to the interview
which was published. l think that when he
reads the message entire he will have reason
to change his mind. The Tribune has been
low tariff paper for 20 years, and simply
represents the people of the West and their
desires. They have no protection for their
products and what Is more, they pay heavy
freights on them to the East, and then are
subjected to foreign competition. In addi-
ton to this they are compelled to pay nearly
two prices for American manufactured
products in the East which are protected"
"Do you consider that Mr.. Baine's utter
ances on the tariff will interfere with your
supporting him as a Presidential candidate
the Republican convention?"
"No, think that Mr.. Blaine was prema-
ture and will revise his views. The Repub-
lican convention will not be held for six
months yet, and by that time Congress will
have settled the tariff question for some
years at least. The tariff is mere matter
of opinion, anyway. 1t is an expediency
and not vital principle, like the liberation
of the slaves, the amendment of the consti-
tuition. and questions Of like nature. |
think Mr.. Blaine will be in harmony with
his party. 1t is settled fact that he can't
run on platform of his own, but must
stand upon that of the convention which
nominates him."
.Will the coming natinnalI convention be
apt to embrace Mr.. Blaine's views on the
mot without going backward. No single
individual has the right to set up any declar-
alton in contravention to the expressed will
of the great mass of voters in the party.
There were more than FIVE million men who
voted for Mr.. Blaine in 1884, and the plat
form OF the National Republican Convention
Of that year was in favor of tariff reduction.
Mr. Blaine has now taken issue with that
platform and with the views of Mr.. Arthur,
and Secretaries Folger and McCulloch."
What would be the result in the coming
Presidential campaign should the Republic
can convention nominate Mr.. Blaine and
adopt platform in consonance with his ex-
pressed tariff views?"
"Mr: Cleveland would undoubtedly be
elected"
'.Do you think the Republican Senate will
agree to tariff bill passed by the House?"
II don't think the Senate will be cowardly
enough to do nothing. 1t will agree to some
measure. The western Senators would not
dare to come back without doing something.
These things have to be done by compro-
mise, for we can't have our own way in this
world. For instance, the tariff part Of the
Republican convention of 1884 was a COM
promise. 1t did not exactly suit me. and it
was not precisely to the liking of the ex-
treme protectionists, but we came near
electing Mr.. Blaine on it,
In conclusion Mr.. Medill said "The Tri-
bune will support the Republican neminee
for the Presidency, whoever he may be. I
am not afraid to indorse the platform the
Republicans will adopt"